Broncos are not tendering RB Jaleel McLaughlin

According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Denver Broncos are NOT tendering running back Jaleel McLaughlin, and he will be a free agent.

McLaughlin was a restricted free agent, but the team decided not to place a tender on him and allow the former undrafted running back to test free agency. The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel notes that the Broncos at least have interest in re-signing McLaughlin, but the second-round tender was simply too steep for them.

Now, with McLaughlin joining veteran JK Dobbins on the free agent market, the Denver Broncos running back room is looking rather thin. RJ Harvey is the only back from the 2025 team currently under contract. Tyler Badie is currently an exclusive rights free agent, while Dobbins and McLaughlin are free agents. So, the Broncos have some additions coming to their running back room.

Many expect the Broncos to be major players in the running back market during free agency and could target backs like Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, Tyler Allgeier, and others. On top of that, they have shown interest in multiple backs at the Combine and could sign AND draft a back this offseason. Their run game was unacceptable after veteran JK Dobbins went down with an injury last season, so they need to add a reliable starter to pair with Harvey, along with better depth behind those two.

As for McLaughlin, I think his time with the Broncos is likely coming to an end. He seemed to fall out of favor this past season and was a healthy scratch for most of the season until Dobbins went down with his injury. Even then, he was not used very much, so it’s not very surprising that the Broncos seem to be moving on. I would prefer the Broncos to add some new blood to their running back room and hopefully, revamp it and have better success from their runners moving forward.